Friends Life t20, Thursday June 14

Despite Surrey’s considerable fast-bowling resources, they again chose to pack their side with spinners against Essex at The Oval. Spin accounted for 14 of Surrey’s overs in their successful defence of 128, mirroring the strategy used in last year’s CB40 success.

While the ever-combative Gareth Batty took 3 for 20, Zafar Ansari’s control stood out, exactly a year after the left-armer made his debut in the equivalent fixture last season.

In prioritising their spin-bowling resources, however, Surrey appeared at least one frontline batsman short. From 68 for 5, only sensible batting from Gary Wilson pushed them up to a defendable total. Alongside their intelligent, varied bowling and uber-athletic fielding, Surrey need a little more common sense and a little less over-ambition in their batting. They go to Lord's tonight for a London Derby.

Third time lucky?

Martin van Jaarsveld’s winter was nothing if not bizarre. It started with him leaving Kent for Leicestershire before, citing "cricket fatigue" and cancelling his Leicestershire contract. He then signed for Glamorgan for Flt20 – but is also playing a little 40-over and, perhaps, Championship cricket too. Tonight he will make his Glamorgan debut against Northants, another county he used to play for.

Still, van Jaarsveld could just be worth the trouble. Only two months ago, he captained Titans to victory in the South African domestic T20 competition, scoring consistently in the middle-order throughout. With van Jaarsveld, 37, and possibly also Robert Croft – a mere 42 – Glamorgan will not be able to blame failure on a lack of experience.

How about a Derby Day?
Casual tournament observers would not be much mistaken if they thought the organisers have already given up marketing it properly – that is, if they had ever tried. Take tonight. With Middlesex hosting Surrey and Gloucestershire – regardless of Muttiah Muralitharan’s views – hosting Somerset, it wouldn’t take that much creativity to market the games, especially if the Roses match was also scheduled tonight, as part of a "Derby Day". This could become an annual event with Sky showing back-to-back games. Perhaps, and apologies if this strains credibility, the ECB could release all England players for it.

Where are the highlights?
The ECB’s development of short daily videos for all county championship matches has been one of their more impressive enterprises in the last few years. Yet their decision not to put together something similar for the Flt20, much better suited than the Championship to five-minute highlight packages, rather adds to the impression they are better promoting it with their words rather than actions.

Trending: Paul Stirling
No one enters this tournament in better T20 form than Irishman Paul Stirling, who was the leading run-scorer in the World Twenty20 qualifiers in March, including a 38-ball 79 in the final against Afghanistan. Stirling’s exceptional hand-eye coordination and the power he generates from his somewhat chunky frame enables him to dominate either with orthodox drives and pulls or his trademark upper-cut over third man. Having scored a century in Middlesex’s last 40-over match, he is increasingly important for them and, providing he avoids the excessive improvisation that led to a disappointing T20 season in 2011, should entertain the Lord’s crowd.

Player of the day: Max Waller, Somerset
A leg-spinner who has the chutzpah to flight the ball, Waller impressed Ian Chappell with his performance in the T20 Champions League last year. While George Dockrell’s rise is bad news for his first-class prospects, Waller’s 4 for 16 against Warwickshire showed that spin twins can prosper in T20 at Taunton.

Quote:
Posted by: Rohan Browning at June 14, 2012 3:31 PM
I agree completely with Jon French (Frenchie). Waller has bowled once and got a few wickets
_____________________________________

He's bowled and done it a lot more than once. He attracted Ian Chappell's admiration in the Champions League, and he had the ball on a piece of string in the 2010 Caribbean T20.

Attacking a leg spinner in T20 whose stock ball comes out of the back of the hand is not as simple as just playing straight for a single. Just ask all the batsmen who have perished to Afridi.

Waller can bat as well. He scored a double century for the 2nd last year.

Tim Wigmore
on June 14, 2012, 19:07 GMT

Thanks - yes it really wouldn't take much imagination to have a Derby Day (or two) every season and get England players released for it. It wouldn't quite be Grand Slam Sunday but it might actually get county cricket a bit of positive press.

Mathew
on June 14, 2012, 18:25 GMT

The funny thing is everyone was upset about the t20 taking up the middle of the summer and county championship being put on the back bench in April and August. But the weather is just as bad now as it was in April if not worse and could easily be better in August

Nick C
on June 14, 2012, 17:47 GMT

Using an actual decent idea for the T20 season? Never going to happen....

Samuel
on June 14, 2012, 17:41 GMT

But I do agree -a derby day, with Lancs vs Yorks, Som v Glos, Warks v Worcs, Surrey v Middlesex etc... would be a fantastic idea. Sky have enough commentators to spread across at least two games, and others could perhaps be shown via that good old red button, with cameras like the ECB highlights show perhaps. It'd also be nice if the England players were released - Jimmy Anderson steaming in against Bairstow and Bresnan for example. I'm still not sure how a franchise system could work in England - there are simply too many players to try and fit into 8 teams or so.

Samuel
on June 14, 2012, 17:36 GMT

Ali - I believe Warwickshire and Worcestershire is live tomorrow, but we've seen enough of Warks on TV this year already! Shame the Somerset/Gloucester match has been abandoned - I think Trego, Buttler and Kieswetter would've liked to try and thwack Murali into next week after daring to suggest we should merge with the lot from Brizzle!

Ali
on June 14, 2012, 17:14 GMT

Derby Day sounds like a brilliant idea - Although it would be nice for at least one of the derbies to be live. A bit of a joke how neither of the Middlesex vs Surrey games are live.

William Franklin
on June 14, 2012, 17:00 GMT

I like spriegal but he needs to bat quicker to retain his place IMO. Surrey have enough spin options with RHB, Batty, Ansari, Kartik (and KP when he plays.)

Slightly strange decision by Surrey to bat in these conditions and with the forecast. Both Maynard and Tremlett made the squad tonight so bioth most be close to fitness.

Rohan Browning
on June 14, 2012, 15:31 GMT

I agree completely with Jon French (Frenchie). Waller has bowled once and got a few wickets - counties will soon find him out and he'll be 'milked' everywhere off his good balls (which don't turn) and punished off his multiple dreadful long-hops and fulltosses.

William Franklin
on June 14, 2012, 20:31 GMT

Well done Spriegel (and Wilson), that was perfect.

Paul, Somerset
on June 14, 2012, 19:18 GMT

Quote:
Posted by: Rohan Browning at June 14, 2012 3:31 PM
I agree completely with Jon French (Frenchie). Waller has bowled once and got a few wickets
_____________________________________

He's bowled and done it a lot more than once. He attracted Ian Chappell's admiration in the Champions League, and he had the ball on a piece of string in the 2010 Caribbean T20.

Attacking a leg spinner in T20 whose stock ball comes out of the back of the hand is not as simple as just playing straight for a single. Just ask all the batsmen who have perished to Afridi.

Waller can bat as well. He scored a double century for the 2nd last year.

Tim Wigmore
on June 14, 2012, 19:07 GMT

Thanks - yes it really wouldn't take much imagination to have a Derby Day (or two) every season and get England players released for it. It wouldn't quite be Grand Slam Sunday but it might actually get county cricket a bit of positive press.

Mathew
on June 14, 2012, 18:25 GMT

The funny thing is everyone was upset about the t20 taking up the middle of the summer and county championship being put on the back bench in April and August. But the weather is just as bad now as it was in April if not worse and could easily be better in August

Nick C
on June 14, 2012, 17:47 GMT

Using an actual decent idea for the T20 season? Never going to happen....

Samuel
on June 14, 2012, 17:41 GMT

But I do agree -a derby day, with Lancs vs Yorks, Som v Glos, Warks v Worcs, Surrey v Middlesex etc... would be a fantastic idea. Sky have enough commentators to spread across at least two games, and others could perhaps be shown via that good old red button, with cameras like the ECB highlights show perhaps. It'd also be nice if the England players were released - Jimmy Anderson steaming in against Bairstow and Bresnan for example. I'm still not sure how a franchise system could work in England - there are simply too many players to try and fit into 8 teams or so.

Samuel
on June 14, 2012, 17:36 GMT

Ali - I believe Warwickshire and Worcestershire is live tomorrow, but we've seen enough of Warks on TV this year already! Shame the Somerset/Gloucester match has been abandoned - I think Trego, Buttler and Kieswetter would've liked to try and thwack Murali into next week after daring to suggest we should merge with the lot from Brizzle!

Ali
on June 14, 2012, 17:14 GMT

Derby Day sounds like a brilliant idea - Although it would be nice for at least one of the derbies to be live. A bit of a joke how neither of the Middlesex vs Surrey games are live.

William Franklin
on June 14, 2012, 17:00 GMT

I like spriegal but he needs to bat quicker to retain his place IMO. Surrey have enough spin options with RHB, Batty, Ansari, Kartik (and KP when he plays.)

Slightly strange decision by Surrey to bat in these conditions and with the forecast. Both Maynard and Tremlett made the squad tonight so bioth most be close to fitness.

Rohan Browning
on June 14, 2012, 15:31 GMT

I agree completely with Jon French (Frenchie). Waller has bowled once and got a few wickets - counties will soon find him out and he'll be 'milked' everywhere off his good balls (which don't turn) and punished off his multiple dreadful long-hops and fulltosses.

Jon French
on June 14, 2012, 15:27 GMT

Personally, I think Waller is a very overrated bowler. He didn't turn a single ball against Warwickshire and only picked up good figures because he was defending 191 and they played him poorly. He also bowled at least 3 dreadful long-hops and 2 full tosses. It won't be long before sides work him out and play him straight rather than sweeping him and playing across the line. Dockrell is a far superior bowler. He's a good fielder though.

Tim Wigmore
on June 14, 2012, 15:06 GMT

I guess Waller should play at least 4 CC games towards the end of the season, but yes he probably deserves more. Dockrell has done well and, for Ireland, has already shown a big game temperament, so they're not gonna drop him.

For Surrey de Bruyn's not in good form, so could bring in Ramps for him even if they wanna stick with the same balance. Otherwise maybe Spriegel could be vulnerable. When KP and Tremlett come in should be an excellent side!

William Franklin
on June 14, 2012, 13:56 GMT

Surrey were certainly batsman light last night. Maynard would have played if fit but even then many would argue they still need another. KP playing in the last 4 matches will help. Top 6 of RHB, Davies, KP, Roy, ZDB and Maynard looks decent in the shortest format.

Still a significant result, not least because Essex have been Surrey's bogie side in T20.

Darren Cook
on June 14, 2012, 11:45 GMT

Time for Waller to move on, he has considerable talent that is going to waste at Somerset, at his age he needs all the FC cricket he can get and clearly Somerset like Dockrell more!

For the sake of his career I hope he moves to a County that will use him properly and hopefully for the good of ENGLISH cricket as well.

Think the same can be said of Beer at Sussex as well.

Dave Lewis
on June 14, 2012, 10:40 GMT

I would say re highlights for T20 that there are too many matches to sort out and there's a game the next day anyway so it quickly gets brushed under the carpet. Surprised Sky haven't come up with some sort of highlights show though.

Great win for Surrey, I thought they had no chance with that score. And Taunton proving once again that you need to get 180 to even be competitive. Levi is ridiculous.

No featured comments at the moment.

Dave Lewis
on June 14, 2012, 10:40 GMT

I would say re highlights for T20 that there are too many matches to sort out and there's a game the next day anyway so it quickly gets brushed under the carpet. Surprised Sky haven't come up with some sort of highlights show though.

Great win for Surrey, I thought they had no chance with that score. And Taunton proving once again that you need to get 180 to even be competitive. Levi is ridiculous.

Darren Cook
on June 14, 2012, 11:45 GMT

Time for Waller to move on, he has considerable talent that is going to waste at Somerset, at his age he needs all the FC cricket he can get and clearly Somerset like Dockrell more!

For the sake of his career I hope he moves to a County that will use him properly and hopefully for the good of ENGLISH cricket as well.

Think the same can be said of Beer at Sussex as well.

William Franklin
on June 14, 2012, 13:56 GMT

Surrey were certainly batsman light last night. Maynard would have played if fit but even then many would argue they still need another. KP playing in the last 4 matches will help. Top 6 of RHB, Davies, KP, Roy, ZDB and Maynard looks decent in the shortest format.

Still a significant result, not least because Essex have been Surrey's bogie side in T20.

Tim Wigmore
on June 14, 2012, 15:06 GMT

I guess Waller should play at least 4 CC games towards the end of the season, but yes he probably deserves more. Dockrell has done well and, for Ireland, has already shown a big game temperament, so they're not gonna drop him.

For Surrey de Bruyn's not in good form, so could bring in Ramps for him even if they wanna stick with the same balance. Otherwise maybe Spriegel could be vulnerable. When KP and Tremlett come in should be an excellent side!

Jon French
on June 14, 2012, 15:27 GMT

Personally, I think Waller is a very overrated bowler. He didn't turn a single ball against Warwickshire and only picked up good figures because he was defending 191 and they played him poorly. He also bowled at least 3 dreadful long-hops and 2 full tosses. It won't be long before sides work him out and play him straight rather than sweeping him and playing across the line. Dockrell is a far superior bowler. He's a good fielder though.

Rohan Browning
on June 14, 2012, 15:31 GMT

I agree completely with Jon French (Frenchie). Waller has bowled once and got a few wickets - counties will soon find him out and he'll be 'milked' everywhere off his good balls (which don't turn) and punished off his multiple dreadful long-hops and fulltosses.

William Franklin
on June 14, 2012, 17:00 GMT

I like spriegal but he needs to bat quicker to retain his place IMO. Surrey have enough spin options with RHB, Batty, Ansari, Kartik (and KP when he plays.)

Slightly strange decision by Surrey to bat in these conditions and with the forecast. Both Maynard and Tremlett made the squad tonight so bioth most be close to fitness.

Ali
on June 14, 2012, 17:14 GMT

Derby Day sounds like a brilliant idea - Although it would be nice for at least one of the derbies to be live. A bit of a joke how neither of the Middlesex vs Surrey games are live.

Samuel
on June 14, 2012, 17:36 GMT

Ali - I believe Warwickshire and Worcestershire is live tomorrow, but we've seen enough of Warks on TV this year already! Shame the Somerset/Gloucester match has been abandoned - I think Trego, Buttler and Kieswetter would've liked to try and thwack Murali into next week after daring to suggest we should merge with the lot from Brizzle!

Samuel
on June 14, 2012, 17:41 GMT

But I do agree -a derby day, with Lancs vs Yorks, Som v Glos, Warks v Worcs, Surrey v Middlesex etc... would be a fantastic idea. Sky have enough commentators to spread across at least two games, and others could perhaps be shown via that good old red button, with cameras like the ECB highlights show perhaps. It'd also be nice if the England players were released - Jimmy Anderson steaming in against Bairstow and Bresnan for example. I'm still not sure how a franchise system could work in England - there are simply too many players to try and fit into 8 teams or so.